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Hurry on over...oh wait, Pino would not advocate hurrying. Take your time and go donkey style over to Pino's place and buy some lavender bud or bundles - up to 50% off. It's time to make room for this year's harvest.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Pino's having a lavender sale!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The terrified sunflower and the industrious goat
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Nap of a king
Monday, July 25, 2011
Head troll
Very few know the secret password to get past Frankie. To make matters more difficult, she changes the password weekly just because she can.
Read more posts about Franklinia, aka Frankie.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Chickweed's great adventure
"Will there be girls?" he asked.
"Yes, lots of them," I said.
"There's lots of girls here but I never seem to get as many as I feel I need," he sad rather sadly.
Chickweed is very polite. Born into our first lambing season, his mother was our beloved Rosie and his father the infamous Joe Pye Weed. He was red, which always gets extra points in my heart.
"That's why you are going on this adventure, Chick, you're going to have your own girls," I told him.
He seemed to perk up. "No sharing with T or the new guy?" he asked.
"No, you can have sex in the fall and relax winter, spring and summer," I said.
And so we said farewell to Chickweed today. He is off to live at another small farm with a very kind couple with a small flock. It always helps to like the people who haul one of your first borns off. I learned after our first lambing season to distance myself from the lamb rams, but one always has soft spots, I mean I am human and Chickweed and I are both redheads. He witnessed my early shepherd abilities and probably was thankful to just be alive, and he let me learn how to do all those lambie things one has to do, all on the fly. He trusted me to doctor up his ear and never complained once. He never rammed me - now that's a compliment.
So this breeding season, I'll be thinking of him with his gentle expression as he is introduced to his own group of ladies. I know he will be a complete gentleman.
Part of small farming is moving with the shifts that are necessary to keep the farm healthy and vibrant and that means saying good bye to animals, especially rams. I'm so pleased he is going to live in a good place to get a day in the sun, as the man. Remember, Chickweed, say "please" and "thank you".
Friday, July 22, 2011
Smiling pig
She speaks. I shan't mention what she said, it was directed to me personally.
Rosie is fitting in very well, surprisingly well. She awakens and eats breakfast, privately, so there is no need for her to rush. Then she attends to bathroom duties outside in her natural Rosie Ladies Room in the lower barnyard. She returns to her stall to receive her morning oil massage and eye clean up. Then she snorts around with Stevie in the pumpkin patch - note, we won't have a very good pumpkin harvest this year. She naps precisely on the quarter hour, every hour. And one thing I know for sure even after only 4 days....you do not want to wake Rosie up from a nap.
If Rosie looks a bit hairless to you, she is in her shedded out stage. I am new to pigs too so had to ask. She needs to have oil massages to help her dry skin, which can also burn so I'll be headed out for more sunscreen today.
I am raising some money to send to Sanctuary One with different gift levels. Feel free to contact me if you prefer to send a check.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
How to meet a rooster
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Fishing trip for a pig
"I'm going to take you fishing," I told the Dirt Farmer.
His expression showed delight, as he hadn't had time to fish since fall. He had worked tirelessly on so many projects all winter and spring, then went right into Pie Day prep followed by field work.
"I have a little Inn all picked out and it will be my treat, " I continued.
More delight danced int he Dirt Farmer's eyes.
"We'll fish some Saturday, and all day Sunday if you want...and then Monday we'll pick up the pig," I went on.
"The pig?" he asked.
The mysterious...thing
Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Good bye, Sweet Jane
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
A very short story: Long ago but now
They lived together long ago, the three of them. It was in the North, way North where there wasn't land, just sky or what we call sky today.
The chicken never left her arms and she chose not to lay eggs.
They spent generations together in the North sitting on leaves, only needing the nourishment of the air. But wind blew them South over the years, encouraging the leaves to grow roots and the water appealed to the woman, chicken and donkey.
Now the chicken lays eggs. The donkey is still blue under certain atmospheric conditions, a detail the woman never fails to notice.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Sunset of ears
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Upcoming Workshop: the trailer
I made this video to give a better feel for the essence of the day. Some people have asked when the enrollment ends, and I suggested they commit by mid August to ensure a space. It's hard for me to know how many are signing up and many wait until the summer rush is over. Visit here to read more and sign up for either Workshop, September 24th or 25th [you can attend both even though the agenda is the same, I'm sure the energy of each day ill be unique].
I posted suggestions for nearby accommodations and travel tips also.
I also know the donkeys will love this. This will be Matilda's first public appearance at Apifera and she is so gentle and calm she will enhance the spirit of the day with her three tiny compadrés, Pino, Paco and Lucia.
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Accepting eyes
Saturday, July 02, 2011
A garden and tails fourth
Freedom is a precious thing. We'll be here enjoying our farm and each other, free to love, share thoughts and opinions, gaze at the gardens and eat food from our land.
Huck, Muddy and BW were gracious enough to assist in this little photo session for your enjoyment - The One Eyed Pug was napping inside, as were Big Tony and Itty Bitty Etta. BW never turns down an opportunity to pose though.
Friday, July 01, 2011
Mind of Mud
Podcast of Katherine shining on about Pino
I had a wonderful chat with Rice Freeman-Zachery this week on her Podcast series with artists. We talked a lot about Pino Pie Day and how it all came about and how little Pino is my muse.It was a fun conversation for me and when I listened to it later I had a 'pinch me' moment. I do have to practice not saying "You know" so much!
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